Thursday, January 28, 2016

Xavier's Kingdom for Gifted Children

It's no secret I love Microscope. I've used it many times to craft histories and cities for campaigns, one-shots, and virtual conventions. But I also love Ben Robbins' other game, Kingdom. If pressed, I'd put that in my top five rpgs. I love what Kingdom does and, though you could say this about every game, it clicks with players who know the game's approach. This is the last of my hacks for January (alongside my X-Com/Pandemic/MotW and 13th Age/Base Raiders concepts). This is a new Kingdom seed and a love letter to the X-Men.

The (name) School for Gifted Children is a (completely secret/ quietly concealed/ out in the open) school for young persons with amazing powers, commonly called Mutants. The school aims to (bring mutants and humanity together peacefully/ teach mutants to survive/ create a bond of mutant “brotherhood” for the future).

Humanity fears Mutants. They have existed (for a long time/ only a generation/ for a few short years). The strongest reactions have involved (paranoia/ hostility /violent assaults/ fearmongering). While the debate has raged on (many/ several/ only one/ no) (politician(s)/ organizations) has(ve) risen to take the lead on the issue.

The school itself is a (small facility/ lies on a modest estate/ sprawls across a large campus). Parents are (fully aware of/ have an inkling about /have been brainwashed concerning) the school’s purpose. Instruction focuses on (students’ talents/ making them well-rounded persons/ balancing powers and real world knowledge).

The staff itself (has a few Mutants/ strikes a balance between Mutants and Humans/ is almost entirely Mutant). Instructors on staff with powers (avoid any kind of/ get caught up in/ secretly engage in/ openly carry out) superheroics.

THREATS

Government Registration:
Many have called for a central database of all mutants. Others have gone
further and suggested mutants be marked and labelled.

Kidnaping for
Experimentation: Several organizations want mutant bodies, some for
nefarious weapon programs and others to serve a Transhumanist
agenda.

Mutant Militant
Organization Rivalry: Another
organization exists either in direct conflict or carrying out a more extreme
version of the school’s agenda.

Student
Dissatisfaction: Just because you're a mutant you don't have to attend the school. The staff have to balance drills and student body buy-in.

Instructors with
Agendas: Some instructors live to teach, while others have political
agendas and perspectives they work quietly to spread.

Alien Intervention:
For some reason alien empires keep getting caught up in mutant affairs. That
can seriously impact syllabi.

Parental Annoyance:
Students have parents and parents have desires and ambitions for their
children. While some have disowned their offspring, others argue about grades,
teacher recommendations, and future placement opportunities.

Vigilante Activities:
Some mutants fight for justice, and they may be sneaking out to do it. That can
bring unwanted attention.

Mutants Social Unrest:
In some areas mutants have been shut into closed communities. Tensions there
can spill over.